School of Music > Faculty & Staff > Faculty by Department > New Faculty 2025-2026 Academic Year

New Faculty 2025-2026 Academic Year

Francesco Milioto joins the faculty as Music Director and Conductor of the DePaul Symphony Orchestra in fall 2025. 

Francesco Milioto
The DePaul University School of Music is pleased to announce the appointment of Francesco Milioto as Music Director and Conductor of the DePaul Symphony Orchestra, beginning in the fall of 2025 with the orchestra's upcoming concert on November 8. Mr. Milioto is a gifted and established conductor whose interpretations are fueled by deep curiosity and executed with a philosophy of collaboration.

"Francesco brings focus, expertise, and fervent enthusiasm to the DePaul School of Music," says John Milbauer, dean of the School of Music. "He teaches beautifully from the podium, understands the skills and practices that young musicians need to be successful, and has ambitions that mirror our goal of becoming a premier program for orchestral training in the U.S. His appointment enriches not only our ensembles and school, but all of DePaul University, and we are thrilled to welcome him."

Mr. Milioto currently serves as Music Director of OPERA San Antonio, The Florentine Opera, and Holy City Arts, as well as Lyric Opera in Charleston, SC. Mr. Milioto's most recent acclaimed performances, outside his home companies, include productions at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Kansas City Opera, and Ballet San Antonio. He is currently a member of the music staff at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He has previously served as guest conductor of the DePaul Symphony Orchestra and DePaul Opera Theatre Orchestra. 
In his role as Music Director and Conductor, Milioto will provide an anchoring presence and long-term strategic vision for the DePaul Symphony Orchestra, including conducting the ensemble, curating repertoire, and actively recruiting students. Throughout his career, Mr. Milioto has been an avid coach and a much sought-after master teacher and mentor to young artists in numerous programs, including The Florentine Opera's Baumgartner Studio Artist Program (WI), as well as those in the 210 Festival, a summer collaboration between OPERA San Antonio and Classical Music Institute (TX). 

"I have had the pleasure of working with students in the School of Music over the past several years, and I am delighted to add another level of music-making and sharing as the new Music Director of the DePaul Symphony Orchestra," shared Milioto. "The students' incredible thirst for knowledge and passion for classical music inspired me from our first rehearsals together. The mutual respect, focus, hard work, and collaborative atmosphere produced an unforgettable concert last spring. I am deeply honored to accept this role and begin guiding the exceptional students at the school. I look forward to witnessing their success both here and beyond, building upon the program's past success and helping bring it to the forefront of training programs in U.S. music conservatories."

As a music director and guest conductor, Mr. Milioto has thrived in Chicago and beyond. Over his many years in Chicago, he claimed the title of Music Director to the New Millennium Orchestra, the Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra, the Highland Park Strings, Access Contemporary Music, and the Chicago Cultural Center Summer Opera. As a guest conductor, he has amassed several critically acclaimed productions with Chicago Opera Theater and has collaborated with many professional local orchestras.  

As a member of the music staff of the Lyric Opera of Chicago since 2013, he has had the pleasure of working on numerous incredible productions and concerts alongside notable conductors, including Sir Andrew Davis, Enrique Mazzola, Jakub Hrůša, Marco Armiliato, and Edward Gardner.  He has also conducted successful productions with The Atlanta Opera, Kentucky Opera, Arizona Opera, and Tulsa Opera. 

To learn more about Francesco Milioto, visit his bio here.​​

Melissa Kraut

The DePaul University School of Music is proud to announce that Melissa Kraut, most recently co-chair of the Cleveland Institute of Music cello program for 19 years, will join its faculty as Professional Lecturer of cello. She will accept students into the cello studio for the fall of 2025 and take over the studio leadership as esteemed Professor Stephen Balderston retires in June 2025. 

"Learning flourishes in an environment of dignity, professionalism, compassion, and safety. From the moment I set foot on the campus of DePaul, I felt a resonant harmony with the community and immediately recognized this as a special place where students thrive," said Kraut. "Joining Dean Milbauer and the exceptional faculty and staff of the DePaul University School of Music is a deep honor. I look forward to building new relationships within the DePaul community. Returning to Chicago brings me home to the city where I first developed my musical voice, and I'm excited to give back to the place where it all began."

Melissa Kraut is recognized as one of the leading pedagogues of her generation. Having developed and trained some of today's outstanding young musicians, she has demonstrated a unique ability to teach all ages and stages of dedicated students, helping them reach their highest potential both at and away from the cello.

School of Music Dean John Milbauer expressed great excitement in welcoming Melissa Kraut to the faculty. "We are thrilled to welcome Melissa Kraut to our faculty at DePaul! Melissa’s extraordinary abilities in shaping the lives of young artists will enrich our faculty and support a primary strategic objective of expanding the excellence of our ensembles. She is the perfect person to build on the studio environment created by Steve Balderston, both nurturing and professional. Not only does she understand music and teaching; she understands people, and that is invaluable to all of us at DePaul.” 

With degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music, the University of Iowa, and Northwestern University, Kraut has had the opportunity to study with the great pedagogues Alan Harris and Hans-Jorgen Jensen, as well as summer study/master classes with cellists such as Aldo Parisot and Frank Miller, Yo-Yo Ma, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi and David Soyer. As a student, she participated in the Aspen Music Festival, Banff Center for the Arts, and the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival in Europe.

Melissa Kraut has led a diverse career on stage, with solo and chamber performances throughout the United States, Europe, China, and Cuba. She has appeared most recently at festivals such as El Paso Pro Musica, Northwest Bach Festival, Sitka Music Festival, Eureka Chamber Music, and as a performer at many summer festivals.  

Melissa Kraut's students have achieved great success, with top prizes in International, National, and Regional competitions. Students of Dr. Kraut have won the Gold Medal and Audience Award at the Gaspar Cassado Competition in Hachioji, Japan, Gold Medal at the Carlos Prieto Competition, Semi-Finalists at the Sphinx Competition, Grand Prize in the Music Teachers National Association Competition, First Prize in the American String Teacher's Association, Grand Prize in the Walgreen's Competition, Grand Prize in the Fischoff Competition, as well as awards at the Banff Chamber Music Competition, Melbourne Chamber Music Competition, Hudson Valley Competition, Klein Competition and more. 

Melissa Kraut's former students make up members of orchestras such as the Indianapolis Symphony, the Principal of the South Carolina Symphony, the North Carolina Symphony, US Army Strings, and the Knoxville Symphony, as well as orchestras in Europe and China. Other former students hold positions in notable quartets, artistic leadership positions, and as teachers at all levels.  

Melissa Kraut's joining the School of Music faculty marks the end of an era in the string area. Stephen Balderston will retire after 25 years of remarkable service to his students and the School of Music. “Prof. Balderston’s extraordinary contributions to the School of Music over two and half decades are immeasurable,” said Milbauer. “He has had a positive influence on countless students, demonstrating that being a world-class musician and a great colleague go hand-in-hand. We are saying ‘Auf wiedersehen’ rather than ‘Goodbye’”!  

Learn more on the Cello Studio Page

The DePaul University School of Music is proud to announce that six-time Grammy-winning recording and mixing engineer Ryan Freeland will join its faculty as Director of the Sound Recording Technology (SRT) program. He will begin his role in the fall of 2025, after founder and current director Professor Tom Miller retires at the end of this academic year in June 2025. 

“I’m incredibly excited to join this wonderful community of DePaul University and be a part of educating the next generation of engineers and producers,” says Ryan Freeland.  “Bringing all my experience and passion to DePaul’s students is a privilege and responsibility I take very seriously. It’s an honor to be associated with the stellar reputation of what I consider to be the best music/recording school in the country.” 

As an independent engineer, Ryan employs his own unique sound for notable producers and artists, including Bonnie Raitt, Aimee Mann, Ray LaMontagne, Natalie Merchant, Joe Henry, Lizz Wright, Meshell Ndegeocello, Loudon Wainwright III, and Ramblin' Jack Elliott. He has earned the nickname "The Wizard" for bringing out the best in performances and depth in sonics. This skill has won him six Grammy Awards and four personal Grammy nominations for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.

"The Sound Recording Technology program figures prominently in the School of Music's strategic growth plans," says John Milbauer, dean of the School of Music. "We are thrilled that Ryan will bring not only extraordinary industry experience but also a commitment to share the skills and know-how that have made him successful. Ryan is the perfect person to build on the excellence established by founding SRT Director, Professor Tom Miller, and we can't wait to see where his vision leads us."

Before becoming an independent engineer, Ryan worked with renowned mixing engineer Bob Clearmountain in his Los Angeles studio "MIX THIS!" where he worked on numerous projects with iconic artists, including Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Counting Crows, Tori Amos, and Lisa Loeb. As in independent engineer he established his reputation by always delivering the highest quality sound, focusing on the artist’s vision, and delivering work that captured the attention of the industry. Ryan also served as the Chief Engineer at Warner Chappell Production Music, where he played a pivotal role in finalizing the company's new recording studio on Hollywood Blvd. His work on the corporate side of music allowed him to develop his ability to deliver high-quality sound under tight deadlines and immense pressure.

Ryan and his wife live in Lincoln Park with their two young children, where he has a state-of-the-art Dolby ATMOS mix room, complete with a 32-channel tracking space. Situated close to the Holtschneider Performance Center, Ryan is already engaged with students, having taught masterclasses previously and co-teaching immersive audio this spring in collaboration with Professor Tom Miller. 

In closing, Ryan states, “When I think about DePaul University and the City of Chicago, I think about the highest quality music and recordings that will last for generations. Being a part of that history and legacy is important and meaningful. A recording is forever, and engineers should document music with all the skills and talent we can muster.”

Ryan Freeland Full Biography

The DePaul University School of Music is proud to announce the appointment of alumnus Timothy Zavadil (BM ‘93) as Assistant Professor of Clarinet, starting full-time in the fall of 2025. He joins the clarinet faculty after nearly two decades serving in the clarinet and bass clarinet position in the Minnesota Orchestra. 

"We are delighted to welcome DePaul School of Music alumnus Tim Zavadil back to the School of Music as a faculty member," says John Milbauer, dean of the School of Music. "Tim brings deep experience as an orchestral musician at the highest level, values the rich history of clarinet instruction at DePaul, and understands the importance of building excellence in ensemble training while addressing the development of the whole person. He is the perfect person to continue the legacy established by such luminaries as Larry Combs, Wagner Campos, and Julie DeRoche, and we are eager for his arrival this fall."

Mr. Zavadil has held the clarinet and bass clarinet position with the Minnesota Orchestra since 2007, where he also performs on E-flat clarinet, contrabass clarinet, basset horn, and saxophones. He has previously been a member of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Louisville Orchestra, Toledo Symphony, and Civic Orchestra of Chicago. In April 2019, Mr. Zavadil gave the North American premiere of American composer Geoffrey Gordon's Prometheus Concerto for Bass Clarinet and Orchestra with the Minnesota Orchestra under the baton of Osmo Vänskä.

"As an alum, I am thrilled to be coming home to DePaul University," says Zavadil. "The clarinet studio at DePaul has a long-standing tradition of excellence, and continuing this work is a responsibility that I take very seriously. I look forward to building a collaborative and supportive clarinet studio that meets students where they are and helps them grow into the people they want to become."

A dedicated educator, Mr. Zavadil has held teaching positions at the University of Minnesota and the University of Louisville, in addition to maintaining a home studio. Since 2016, he has served as Director of Operations at CAYO, a Twin Cities-based non-profit that connects young musicians from the US and Cuba through youth cultural diplomacy and has been a regular teaching artist and mentor for hundreds of students from both countries.

Originally a native of St. Louis, Mr. Zavadil received his Bachelor of Music degree from DePaul University, studying with John Bruce Yeh and Larry Combs, and his Master of Music degree from Northwestern University.

Learn more on the Clarinet Studio page. 

Amanda Majeski

The DePaul University School of Music is proud to announce that soprano Amanda Majeski will join the faculty as Professional Lecturer of Voice starting in fall 2025. Majeski has established herself as a celebrated interpreter of Strauss, Wagner, Handel, and Mozart.

“Amanda Majeski brings to the DePaul University School of Music an extraordinary career as a world-renowned vocalist, a wealth of experience in the art of teaching, and a collaborative mindset that will greatly enhance our school,” says John Milbauer, dean of the School of Music. “Her presence and artistic focus onstage are matched by the clarity and insight of her instruction, and we are delighted to welcome her back to DePaul.”

Ms. Majeski is highly acclaimed for her portrayal of Janáček’s Káťa Kabanová, making her debut with that role at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (Best New Opera Production at the 2019 Olivier Awards), and having been described as “Katya of the moment,” following the London Symphony Orchestra concert performance conducted by Sir Simon Rattle in 2023.

Ms. Majeski began the 2024-2025 season in an anticipated return to the role of Strauss’ Salome with Semperoper Dresden. Forthcoming engagements include appearances at the BBC Proms in Shostakovich’s Lady Macbeth with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, and with Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, and with Opera Frankfurt.

“I am elated to be returning to DePaul University,” shared Majeski. “The DePaul University School of Music and the Voice Area are jewels of Chicago, and I feel humbled and emboldened joining a community of esteemed educators whose service driven values, collaborative spirit, and relentless dedication exemplify what great artistry is all about. I look forward to discovering each student, helping them to grow in deeper ownership of their unique artistry.”

Majeski made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Countess Almaviva in a new production of Le nozze di Figaro, returning for a revival of Don Giovanni conducted by Fabio Luisi and a new production of Così fan tutte under David Robertson. She made her mainstage debut with the Lyric Opera of Chicago as Countess Almaviva with conductor Sir Andrew Davis, returning as Vitellia in La clemenza di Tito, Eva in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, The Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier, Marta in The Passenger and Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni. She sang Blanche de la Force in Dialogues des Carmélites for Pittsburgh Opera, Countess Almaviva in her debut for the Washington National Opera, and Countess Madeleine in Capriccio, Der Komponist in Ariadne auf Naxos and Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte for the Santa Fe Opera. Majeski made her European debut at the Semperoper Dresden, where she performed in new productions of Alcina and La clemenza di Tito, along with revivals of Le nozze di Figaro and Capriccio. She has bowed as Vitellia for Opéra de Paris, Donna Elvira with Dutch National Opera, Countess Almaviva and Eva for the Glyndebourne Festival Opera, the title role Rusalka and her first Marschallin for Oper Frankfurt, made her debut with the Opernhaus Zürich as Marguerite in Faust, and appeared at the Staatstheater Stuttgart and Teatro Colón.

In addition to serving on the faculty of the DePaul University School of Music, Ms. Majeski currently serves on the faculty of her alma mater, the Curtis Institute of Music. She previously held the position of Assistant Professor of Voice at the University of Michigan. A frequent adjudicator and clinician for Schmidt Vocal Arts, she has also served as a guest clinician at Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Interlochen Arts Camp and Academy, Taos Opera Institute, and the Collaborative Piano Institute. Current and former students have scored coveted positions at Wolf Trap Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Steans Institute at Ravinia, Aspen Opera Theatre and Music Academy of the West, as well as the Collaborative Piano Institute, Taos Opera Institute and Musica nelle Marche. They are award winners of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, the district Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Musicians Club of Women, and University Concerto Competitions.

Read her complete bio here.